Attorney General George Jepsen announced the appeal to the state Supreme Court on Thursday. He says the legislative and executive branches — not a judge — determine state education policy.

Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher ruled last week in an 11-year-old lawsuit that the state must submit plans to overhaul its education system and change its school funding formula within 180 days.

The lawsuit was filed by a coalition of cities, towns, school boards, parents and students. The plaintiffs say the current system relies too heavily on local property taxes and favors wealthier towns, resulting in a big gap in test scores between students in rich and poor towns.